Wilson Bros Topsail Schooner
Currency
Length
90' - 27.43m
Vessel Location
Airlie Beach Queensland
Launch Year
1946
Hull Material
Timber
HUGE PRICE REDUCTION due to family and personal issues. The legendary Tasmanian Topsail Schooner DERWENT HUNTER is available in March 2024 for new custodians to take her on her next chapter in her life. Whether as a private ship for round the world sailing and liveaboard or continue tourism operations, her current Certificate of Operation includes 1D for partially smooth waters for 65 passengers and 5 crew and 1B for 200nm offshore waters for 21 passengers and 4 crew.
Preparations are underway for being slipped and available for inspection out of the water in late February 2024 and as such the price will be reviewed and increased upon completion of the slip and depending on the scope of works done.
THE PRIVATE OPPORTUNITY (Ship only as is where is $395,000) Currently being slipped and price may increase.
Derwent Hunter has a lot of room. As a private vessel for a small family, there are 6 separate cabins. Reconfiguration or removal of some cabins would provide a greater interior space with which to design larger living areas, saloon and galley. She can be sailed with two strong sailors, but better with 3 or 4 for the main and foresail haul. Adding solar and water maker would provide off-grid living on a grand scale.
THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY (additional to the ship)
The Derwent Hunter has been operating in the sheltered waters of the Whitsundays in Queensland under the banner of Tall Ship Adventures. Currently offering shorter tours such as sunset tours, private charters, weddings, lunch tours, it is an easy business to operate with potential to expand into the overnight market which is something she had done for many years prior. She can also go back into the full day eco sailing adventures if new owners desire.
You could also relocate the ship and take the branding with you (noting that some things are Queensland-based such as Liquor Licence etc.
Included with the vessel and business as a package:
1. Tall Ship Adventures branding, website, social media, trademarks, forward bookings, agent connections, booking platform (Fareharbor), marketing A-Frames and associated gear.
2. Queensland liquor licence. She even has her own wine label.
THE SHIP
The Schooner was built for Mr Arthur Drysdale who was the owner of the Wrest Point Hotel on the Derwent River. The design brief for the Derwent Hunter was for a fast sailing vessel resembling a grand banks schooner that could be used for gentlemanly pursuits and to supply fresh fish directly to his Wrest Point Hotel. In 1950 the CSIRO purchased the Derwent Hunter to become Australia's first oceanographic research vessel.
For over 12 years, from 1950 - 1962, she worked under sail roving from Antarctic waters in the Southern Ocean and as far north as Noumea and the outer Pacific basin. From 1962 to 1974, the Derwent Hunter was part of a commercial enterprise that operated adventure tours and interesting "voyages" from Darwin through Indonesia and Malaysia in the early 1970's. In 1969 The eye catching lines of the Derwent Hunter brought her fame and fortune in 1969 when she was chosen by Paramount Studios 0-Ten Network to become the "Pacific Lady" in the hit family television series "The Rovers". From 1974 until 2020 she has had six different owners, undertaking fishing and cargo operations, overnight and day tours, charters and private use.
It is time for her next adventure.
Preparations are underway for being slipped and available for inspection out of the water in late February 2024 and as such the price will be reviewed and increased upon completion of the slip and depending on the scope of works done.
THE PRIVATE OPPORTUNITY (Ship only as is where is $395,000) Currently being slipped and price may increase.
Derwent Hunter has a lot of room. As a private vessel for a small family, there are 6 separate cabins. Reconfiguration or removal of some cabins would provide a greater interior space with which to design larger living areas, saloon and galley. She can be sailed with two strong sailors, but better with 3 or 4 for the main and foresail haul. Adding solar and water maker would provide off-grid living on a grand scale.
THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY (additional to the ship)
The Derwent Hunter has been operating in the sheltered waters of the Whitsundays in Queensland under the banner of Tall Ship Adventures. Currently offering shorter tours such as sunset tours, private charters, weddings, lunch tours, it is an easy business to operate with potential to expand into the overnight market which is something she had done for many years prior. She can also go back into the full day eco sailing adventures if new owners desire.
You could also relocate the ship and take the branding with you (noting that some things are Queensland-based such as Liquor Licence etc.
Included with the vessel and business as a package:
1. Tall Ship Adventures branding, website, social media, trademarks, forward bookings, agent connections, booking platform (Fareharbor), marketing A-Frames and associated gear.
2. Queensland liquor licence. She even has her own wine label.
THE SHIP
The Schooner was built for Mr Arthur Drysdale who was the owner of the Wrest Point Hotel on the Derwent River. The design brief for the Derwent Hunter was for a fast sailing vessel resembling a grand banks schooner that could be used for gentlemanly pursuits and to supply fresh fish directly to his Wrest Point Hotel. In 1950 the CSIRO purchased the Derwent Hunter to become Australia's first oceanographic research vessel.
For over 12 years, from 1950 - 1962, she worked under sail roving from Antarctic waters in the Southern Ocean and as far north as Noumea and the outer Pacific basin. From 1962 to 1974, the Derwent Hunter was part of a commercial enterprise that operated adventure tours and interesting "voyages" from Darwin through Indonesia and Malaysia in the early 1970's. In 1969 The eye catching lines of the Derwent Hunter brought her fame and fortune in 1969 when she was chosen by Paramount Studios 0-Ten Network to become the "Pacific Lady" in the hit family television series "The Rovers". From 1974 until 2020 she has had six different owners, undertaking fishing and cargo operations, overnight and day tours, charters and private use.
It is time for her next adventure.
Price
AU $345,000 Huge price reduction
Vessel Name
Derwent Hunter
Launch Year
1946
Length
90' - 27.43m
Beam
5.63m
Draft
2.7m
Vessel Location
Airlie Beach Queensland
Region
Queensland
Use
Cruising, Charter, Commercial
HIN
396225
Registration
429777
Rego Expiry
12/03/2025
Designer
Walter Wilson
Builder
Walter Wilson
Hull Material
Timber
Decks Material
Timber
Engine
6BT
Engine Make
Cummins
Number Engines
1
Fuel Type
Diesel
Max Speed
12 knots
Cruise Speed
6 knots
Propulsion
Single Screw
Genset
Kubota 4 cyl Diesel 14KVA Alternator
Fuel
2,400 litres
Water
1,400 litres
Dinghy
Barefoot Inflatable
Outboard
Tohatsu 30hp
Covers
Sail covers, permanent canvas awning over mid deck
Accommodation
6 Separate cabin spaces
Cabins
Stateroom (double, single, chart table, head)
Two private mid-cabins (doube and single each) shared head and shower
Two private Galley cabins (doube and single each) shared head and shower
Forward cabin (2 double 2 single) currently used as rope locker
Two private mid-cabins (doube and single each) shared head and shower
Two private Galley cabins (doube and single each) shared head and shower
Forward cabin (2 double 2 single) currently used as rope locker
Berths
25
Shower
3
Toilet
4
Air-Con
No
Galley
Access from deck to main saloon with compartment dinette/seating and galley space in the forward section with crew accommodation in the after part.
Refrigeration
In bench refigeration
Freezer
12 volt portable freezer
Stove
Gas
Hot Water
Stainless 50L
Ground Tackle
Muir hydraulic winch, 16mm chain
Safety Gear
As per survey
Bilge Pumps
24volt auto/man floats in all compartments, machinery driven plus manual
Life Raft
25 persons - currently off vessel
Epirb
Float Free
Life Jackets
65
Flares
As per survey
Fire Protection
As per survey - FM 200 in Engine Room, fire extinguishers throughout, fire alarms
Electrics
24 volt and 240vt systems (shore power or genset)
Electronics / Navigation
Raymarine sounder, plotter, speed, GPS. Radar. Auto Pilot, VHF & HF radios,
Sail Inventory
Foresalil, Mainsail, staysail, Jib, Headail, yankee and 2 jib-headed topsails
Mast / Rigging
Oregon masts, stainless rigging. New rigging screws and chainplates November 23
Deck Gear
Almast headsail furling system to Jib and Staysail
2 x Arco 57 2 speed ST winches
2 x Arco 57 2 speed ST winches
Survey Details
AMSA Certificate of Operation (QLD) 1D 65 + 5 and 1B 21 + 4
Remarks
Last slipped May 2023 with next slipping due February 2024
CONTACT DETAILS
Name
Mike Smith
Telephone
Airlie Beach Queensland
Australia
Australia